JEWELLERY believed to have been stolen by killer GP Harold Shipman has been auctioned to help the families of his victims.

More than 30 unclaimed items found at the Hyde doctor's home have been sold, raising £1,700 for the Tameside Victim Support group which was set up to help families of elderly patients he murdered.

Only one item has been returned to grieving relatives - a platinum and diamond ring which was identified by the family of one victim after an appeal by the police for owners to come forward.

About 100 rings, necklaces and jewellery, bracelets and earrings were seized from the Shipman home in Roe Cross Green in 1998 after he was arrested on suspicion of forgery and murder.

The doctor's wife Primrose had asked for them to be returned to her, but she told police officers that 34 of the pieces found in a jewellery box in her bedroom did not belong to her.

Missing

Greater Manchester Police wrote to relatives of all known victims and suspected victims, and they also made a public appeal for any relative to contact them if they believed jewellery belonging to a deceased relative was missing.

GMP said that 25 families responded, and gave descriptions of the missing items, but the force later referred the case to the Assets Recovery Agency as they believed the items were the proceeds of crime.

The ARA contacted families by telephone, and arranged visits to make further enquiries.

The family that identified the platinum and diamond ring was able to provide a photograph to back their claim. They are not being identified to avoid causing further grief and distress, but a spokesman said: "We are pleased to have this ring returned to us and are grateful to the Assets Recovery Agency for handling the matter swiftly and tactfully."

Proof

The ARA, which has now concluded its investigation, says Mrs Shipman was able to provide sufficient proof that she owned some of the items. Most were low value items of costume jewellery, and none bore any resemblance to items described by any of the relatives.

Adriana Brenton, deputy director of the agency said: "We are pleased that we have been able to use our expertise to bring this case to a speedy conclusion.

"The local Victim Support group did a terrific job in very distressing circumstances and it is fitting that they should receive the proceeds."

Shipman, who was found hanged in his cell in Wakefield Prison early last year, was jailed for life in January 2000 for the murder of 15 of his patients.

A public inquiry concluded he probably killed more than 250 patients by morphine injections over more than 20 years. On most occasions he killed his victims in their homes, when he is then suspected of stealing jewellery.